Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) is a tall, traditional garden perennial admired for its striking spire of colorful, cup-shaped flowers. Before the blooms appear, the plant produces a dense cluster of foliage that serves as a verdant backdrop for the vertical flower stalks. The leaves are a distinctive feature, often growing to a considerable size.
The Distinctive Shape and Size
Hollyhock leaves are notably large and coarse, possessing a broadly circular or orbicular structure. They are classified as palmate, meaning they are shaped like an open hand with lobes radiating from a central point. The leaves typically feature between three and seven distinct, blunt lobes.
The edges of the leaf are crenate, meaning they have rounded or scalloped teeth along the margin. These leaves can reach an impressive size, often growing up to eight inches wide and long, sometimes even larger. This substantial dimension makes the hollyhock leaf a dominant element of the plant’s architecture. The base of the leaf blade is often cordate, meaning it is heart-shaped where it attaches to the stalk.
Surface Texture and Coloration
The surface of a hollyhock leaf has a rough or coarse feel due to fine, downy hairs covering both the upper and lower sides. This hairiness, known as pubescence, is more pronounced on the underside, contributing to a slightly fuzzy texture. The upper surface also exhibits a somewhat wrinkled appearance caused by the detailed venation pattern.
The leaf color is typically a medium to dull green, sometimes having a grayish undertone. A prominent feature is the venation, which follows the palmate structure with large veins radiating outward from the stalk connection. These raised veins are clearly visible on the leaf surface. The combination of the dull green color and the rough texture gives the leaves a matte finish.
How Hollyhock Leaves Grow and Change
Hollyhock leaves are arranged alternately along the main stem, providing a balanced look to the plant’s stalk. This arrangement means only one leaf emerges at each node, spiraling up the tall flowering stalk. The size and shape of the leaves change depending on their position on the plant.
The largest and most deeply lobed leaves are found toward the base of the plant, often forming a low rosette of foliage in the first year of growth. As the stem grows upward, the leaves become progressively smaller and less lobed as they ascend toward the top. Young hollyhock seedlings initially produce small, rounded cotyledons before transitioning into the characteristic lobed “true leaves.” The lower leaves often wither and are shed as the plant focuses energy on upper growth and flowering.